What makes a Professional?
A professional is someone who has both the competence and skill of their profession usually acquired through higher education and life experiences. This does not just relate to how good you can code or meet deadlines. A professional is an individual that demonstrates honour, integrity and civil behaviour towards others. A professional also carries out there work in the highest standard of their ability, being a professional that work should be of the highest standard. A superior level of knowledge over most other people in your field, this will allow a professional to help less experienced members of their field.
Presenting yourself in a professional manner is also the makings of a professional. By this I mean going to a job interview or meeting dressed smart instead of showing up in a tracksuit or jogging bottoms and trainers. Beards are more common these days so being clean shaven doesn't seem to be a big deal but at least keep it trimmed and tidy.
Characteristics of Professionals
- Great knowledge and experience
- Abiding by a code of practice
- Being responsible when carrying out work
- Show loyalty and integrity
- Support colleagues
- Set the standards of their profession
The Pillars of Professionalism
The four pillars of professionalism according to Kizza (2013)
- Commitment: A professional will meet deadlines and project commitments even if they have to acquire help from another professional.
- Integrity: To show a great deal of commitment to your work and achieve a high standard that you are not willing to lower.
- Responsibility: To accept the responsibility of your clients and do your job with up to date standards and techniques.
- Accountability: If the set standards are not met then you must give satisfactory reason for it. Holding yourself accountable for not meeting the standards promised to your client.
Codes of Conduct
A code of conduct sets out the professional standards required by a professional body or chartered institute. The code of conduct governs the conduct of individuals. Breaches of the code will result in disciplinary procedures by the institute and their membership will be considered. The code holds to all members regardless of what level they are.
The BCS (British Computer Society) have a Code of Conduct that must be followed by all their members.
The W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) have a Code of Conduct where they have an expected and unexpected behaviour list that must be adhered to by all participants.
Although these professional bodies have codes of conduct for members you should always be working in a professional manner and not need a rule book to tell you how to behave. Good Etiquette is something we should all aim to achieve and with that comes a good professional manner.
The Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
The commandments were created by the Washington based computer ethics institute in the pursuit to create a set of standards that would guide people to use computers in an ethical manner. They have been criticized for being overly simplistic. They are a base on ethics in computing and can give users a general understanding in the ethics of computer use.
- Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
- Thou shalt not interfere with other peoples work.
- Thou shalt not snoop around in other peoples computer files.
- Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
- Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
- Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid(without permission)
- Thou shalt not use other peoples computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
- Thou shalt not appropriate other peoples intellectual output.
- Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
- Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for other humans.
Professional Bodies
Being a member of a professional body will mean clients have more faith in your work as you are held to a certain code of ethics that the institute set for all their members. Any member found not abiding to the code of ethical standards will lose their membership and in some cases be fined. I am a student member of the British Computer Society and therefore any professional work I do will abide to the values and codes set by the institute. Being a member of an institute can also help to network with peers and help to guide you through your career. They also have a large network of meetings and hack a thons in many areas that allow members to meet and share experiences.
Sources
British Computer Society - BCS
World Wide Web Consortium - W3C
Wikipedia - Ten Commandments
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